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{{distinguish|Spanish fly|Spanish flu}} {{distinguish|Lytta vesicatoria (Spanish fly)|Spanish flu}}


{{Infobox song {{Infobox song
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| album = ] | album = ]
| A-side = ] | A-side = ]
| released = February 28, 1966 | released = 1966
| recorded = August 13, 1965 | recorded = 1965
| studio = ], Hollywood | studio = ], Hollywood
| venue = | venue =
| genre = ] | genre = ], ]
| length = 2:07 | length = 2:07
| label = ] | label = ]
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}} }}
}} }}
"'''Spanish Flea'''" is a ] song written by ] in the 1960s with lyrics by his wife Cissy Wechter. The original version was recorded by ]. Cover versions of the song have been recorded by dozens of artists worldwide. "'''Spanish Flea'''" is a ] song written by ] in the 1960s with lyrics by his wife Cissy Wechter. The original version was recorded by ] in 1965. Cover versions of the song have been recorded by dozens of artists worldwide.


==Composition and recording== ==Composition and recording==
Julius Wechter was a percussionist in ], most notably on ]. "Spanish Flea" was one of several songs he wrote for the group. It was released as an instrumental on the ] to the single "]" from their 1965 album '']''. The album was a No. 1 hit in the U.S., and the single peaked at No. 27 on the '']'' ]. "Spanish Flea" featured Alpert's ] over a ] backing.<ref>''Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles''</ref> ] was a percussionist in ], most notably on ]. "Spanish Flea" was one of several songs he wrote for the group. It was released as an instrumental on the ] to the single "]" from their 1965 album '']''. The album was a No. 1 hit in the U.S., and the single peaked at No. 27 on the '']'' ]. "Spanish Flea" featured Alpert's ] over a ] backing.<ref>''Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles''</ref>


The original version was recorded on August 13, 1965 at ] in ], ], ].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=August 13, 1965|title=Phonograph Recording Contract Blank - American Federations Of Musicians|url=https://www.wreckingcrewfilm.com/afmcontracts/Alpert+TJB_SpanishFlea.pdf|website=Wrecking Crew Film}}</ref> Two other songs were recorded during that session, those being "And I Love Her" and "More And More Amor"<ref name=":0" /> In the ], the song is closely associated with the long-running ] '']'', for which it was played when the bachelor entered into the stage to ask questions to learn and choose which bachelorette had best suited the needs of that bachelor.<ref>Madrid, Alejandro. ''''. ], 2011. 240.</ref> The original version was recorded on August 13, 1965 at ] in ], ], ].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=August 13, 1965|title=Phonograph Recording Contract Blank - American Federations Of Musicians|url=https://www.wreckingcrewfilm.com/afmcontracts/Alpert+TJB_SpanishFlea.pdf|website=Wrecking Crew Film}}</ref> Two other songs were recorded during that session, those being "And I Love Her" and "More And More Amor"<ref name=":0" /> In the ], the song is closely associated with the long-running ] '']'', for which it was played when the bachelor entered into the stage to ask questions to learn and choose which bachelorette had best suited the needs of that bachelor.<ref>Madrid, Alejandro. ''''. ], 2011. 240.</ref>


==Chart history== ==Chart history==
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!Chart (1966) !Chart (1966)
!Peak<br />position !Peak<br />position
⚫ |-
|Argentina
|align="center"|9
|- |-
|Australia (]) |Australia (])
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| style="text-align:center;"|6 | style="text-align:center;"|6
|- |-
{{singlechart|UKsinglesbyname|3|title=Spanish Flea|artist=Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass |artistid=12143}}
|]<ref>{{cite web|title=Official Charts Company |url=http://Officialcharts.com |date= |accessdate=2018-07-16}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|3
|- |-
|U.S. '']'' ]<ref>''Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990'' – {{ISBN|0-89820-089-X}}</ref> |U.S. '']'' ]<ref>''Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990'' – {{ISBN|0-89820-089-X}}</ref>
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|U.S. ] Top 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/60s_files/19660423.html|title=Cash Box Top 100 4/23/66|website=Tropicalglen.com|accessdate=16 February 2019}}</ref> |U.S. ] Top 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/60s_files/19660423.html|title=Cash Box Top 100 4/23/66|website=Tropicalglen.com|accessdate=16 February 2019}}</ref>
|align="center"|21 |align="center"|21
⚫ |-
|} |}


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] wrote a different set of lyrics for "Spanish Flea". ] used them in her 1966 recording of the song.<ref> at Discogs</ref> ] wrote a different set of lyrics for "Spanish Flea". ] used them in her 1966 recording of the song.<ref> at Discogs</ref>


The Glenn Miller Orchestra included the song as the last track on their album "Something New: The Glenn Miller Orchestra plays the Tijuana Brass" (1966). The ] included the song as the last track on their album ''Something New: The Glenn Miller Orchestra plays the Tijuana Brass'' (1966).{{cn|date=September 2024}}


] parodied the song as 'The Flea' on the Jack Benny variety show in December 1966 during a "Si-Sy-Sue" skit along with his group 'The Tijuana Strings'. ] parodied the song as "The Flea" on the ] variety show in December 1966, during a "Si-Sy-Sue" skit along with his group 'The Tijuana Strings'.{{cn|date=September 2024}}


] also parodied the song on his album ''Togetherness'' (1967). Another parodic cover version, spoofing Alpert's version, appeared on the mock Alpert tribute album ''Sour Cream & Other Delights'' by the Frivolous Five. ] also parodied the song on his album ''Togetherness'' (1967). Another parodic cover version, spoofing Alpert's version, appeared on the mock Alpert tribute album ''Sour Cream & Other Delights'' by the Frivolous Five.{{cn|date=September 2024}}


==In film and television== ==In film and television==
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"Spanish Flea" has been used in a variety of film and television soundtracks.<ref> at ]</ref> It was one of two Alpert songs in a 1966 animated cartoon by ], ''].'' "Spanish Flea" has been used in a variety of film and television soundtracks.<ref> at ]</ref> It was one of two Alpert songs in a 1966 animated cartoon by ], ''].''


⚫ The song was used by Mazda in TV commercials during the 1970's to advertise their GLC model, "Its a great little car"
⚫ The tune has been featured in four episodes of '']'': "]" (with Homer singing the original lyrics), "]", "]", and "]".

⚫ The tune has been featured in four episodes of '']'': "]" (with Homer singing the original lyrics), "]", "]", and "]".<ref>{{cite news|date=1999-02-06|title=Composer Julius Wechter Dies at 63|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1999/02/07/composer-julius-wechter-dies-at-63/967fb099-5c58-41ba-b47b-a5c1aa5984ad|work=]|language=en-us|issn=0190-8286|oclc=2269358|access-date=2024-11-19}}</ref>


In the fingerprint scene in Rosewood's home in '']'', ] (playing ]) and ] (playing Billy Rosewood) improvised the idea of humming the tune. When Taggart (]) asks what the tune is, Rosewood replies, "''The Dating Game''!". In the fingerprint scene in Rosewood's home in '']'', ] (playing ]) and ] (playing Billy Rosewood) improvised the idea of humming the tune. When Taggart (]) asks what the tune is, Rosewood replies, "''The Dating Game''!".

In the 1996 film '']'', the song is played inside a laundromat while Erin Grant (]) and her daughter Angela (]) take all the clothes out of the dryer machine.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Sight_and_Sound/zZSRAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22spanish+flea%22+%22striptease%22&dq=%22spanish+flea%22+%22striptease%22&printsec=frontcover |title=Sight and Sound |date=1996 |publisher=British Film Institute |language=en}}</ref>


In the 1997 film '']'', the two main characters happily groove to the song while abducting two teenagers. In the 1997 film '']'', the two main characters happily groove to the song while abducting two teenagers.
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In the 2000 film '']'', it plays at 12:03 before showing a ball preparation at the town hall. In the 2000 film '']'', it plays at 12:03 before showing a ball preparation at the town hall.


The Nickelodeon TV series ] uses the song in many episodes such as episode 4b season 1 “Apartnership”. The Nickelodeon TV series '']'' uses the song in many episodes such as episode 4b season 1 “Apartnership”.


In an episode of '']'', the song is played when a pair of demons call Crowley (the King of Hell) from a hunter's trap. In an episode of '']'', the song is played when a pair of demons call Crowley (the King of Hell) from a hunter's trap.
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The song has been heard on ] ] time by time between 1999 and 2013. The song has been heard on ] ] time by time between 1999 and 2013.


In the 2019 film '']'', the song plays with the ] when the broadcast of the Murray Franklin Show gets cut off. In the DVD credits, the song is credited to ''] and His Button Down Brass''. In the 2019 film '']'', the song plays with the ] when the broadcast of Live with Murray Franklin gets cut off after ] shoots the titular host. In the DVD credits, the song is credited to ''] and His Button Down Brass''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Editions |first=Insight |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Joker_The_Official_Script_Book/N5ZoEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22spanish+flea%22+%22joker%22&pg=PA199&printsec=frontcover |title=Joker: The Official Script Book |date=2022-11-15 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-64722-892-7 |language=en}}</ref>


In the 2023 HBO miniseries "Love and Death" in the episode "Encounters", it was performed by the character Pat on his trumpet at the dinner table.
⚫ The song was used by Mazda in TV commercials the 1970's to advertise their GLC model, "Its a great little car"


==Other uses== ==Use in podcasts==
"Spanish Flea" acts as the opening and closing music to the '']'' audio podcast. The song is also used as the closing music for the soccer podcast ''Low Limit Futbol'', hosted by Joe Uccello and Roberto Rojas. It is used as background music for the ad-reads on the 'We Hate Movies' podcast. It is also used as the closing theme for Chris & Andi Porter's 'One Millionth Podcast', although it is sung by the siblings themselves - a different way every time (with a lot of fun, improvisational liberties taken). "Spanish Flea" acts as the opening and closing music to the '']'' audio podcast. The song is also used as the closing music for the soccer podcast ''Low Limit Futbol'', hosted by Joe Uccello and Roberto Rojas. It is used as background music for the ad-reads on the 'We Hate Movies' podcast. It is also used as the closing theme for Chris & Andi Porter's 'One Millionth Podcast', although it is sung by the siblings themselves - a different way every time. It also appears in the jingle that precedes the ‘Three by Three’ segment by ] during the “]” podcast.


==References== ==References==
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* *
* ] - ]


{{Authority control}} {{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 13:59, 19 November 2024

Not to be confused with Lytta vesicatoria (Spanish fly) or Spanish flu. 1966 single by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass
"Spanish Flea"
Single by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass
from the album Going Places
A-side"What Now My Love"
Released1966
Recorded1965
StudioGold Star Studios, Hollywood
GenrePop, Jazz
Length2:07
LabelA&M Records
Songwriter(s)Julius Wechter
Producer(s)
Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass singles chronology
"Tijuana Taxi"
(1965) 		"What Now My Love" / "Spanish Flea"
(1966) 		"The Work Song"
(1966)
Official audio
"Spanish Flea" on YouTube
Audio sample
Spanish Flea

"Spanish Flea" is a popular song written by Julius Wechter in the 1960s with lyrics by his wife Cissy Wechter. The original version was recorded by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass in 1965. Cover versions of the song have been recorded by dozens of artists worldwide.

Composition and recording

Julius Wechter was a percussionist in Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, most notably on marimba. "Spanish Flea" was one of several songs he wrote for the group. It was released as an instrumental on the B-side to the single "What Now My Love" from their 1965 album Going Places. The album was a No. 1 hit in the U.S., and the single peaked at No. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Spanish Flea" featured Alpert's trumpet over a Latin rhythm backing.

The original version was recorded on August 13, 1965 at Gold Star Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Two other songs were recorded during that session, those being "And I Love Her" and "More And More Amor" In the United States, the song is closely associated with the long-running game show The Dating Game, for which it was played when the bachelor entered into the stage to ask questions to learn and choose which bachelorette had best suited the needs of that bachelor.

Chart history

Chart (1966) Peak
position
Argentina 9
Australia (Kent Music Report) 28
Canada RPM Adult Contemporary 6
Canada RPM Top Singles 6
UK Singles (OCC) 3
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 27
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary 4
U.S. Cash Box Top 100 21

Other recordings

Teresa Brewer, The Modernaires, Frankie Randall, and Soupy Sales were among the artists who quickly recorded vocal versions of "Spanish Flea" with Cissy Wechter's original lyrics.

The song was also recorded by Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 on their 1966 debut album, Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66.

"Spanish Flea" was also covered by Trudy Pitts on her debut album Introducing the Fabulous Trudy Pitts (1967), by the Doodletown Pipers on The Doodletown Pipers Sing-along '67 (1967) and by Jean-Jacques Perrey and Gershon Kingsley on Kaleidoscopic Vibrations: Spotlight on the Moog, also recorded in 1967. Julius Wechter himself, with his Baja Marimba Band, recorded the song on the 1971 album As Time Goes By.

Marcel Stellman wrote a different set of lyrics for "Spanish Flea". Kathy Kirby used them in her 1966 recording of the song.

The Glenn Miller Orchestra included the song as the last track on their album Something New: The Glenn Miller Orchestra plays the Tijuana Brass (1966).

Mel Blanc parodied the song as "The Flea" on the Jack Benny variety show in December 1966, during a "Si-Sy-Sue" skit along with his group 'The Tijuana Strings'.

Allan Sherman also parodied the song on his album Togetherness (1967). Another parodic cover version, spoofing Alpert's version, appeared on the mock Alpert tribute album Sour Cream & Other Delights by the Frivolous Five.

In film and television

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

"Spanish Flea" has been used in a variety of film and television soundtracks. It was one of two Alpert songs in a 1966 animated cartoon by John Hubley, A Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass Double Feature.

The song was used by Mazda in TV commercials during the 1970's to advertise their GLC model, "Its a great little car"

The tune has been featured in four episodes of The Simpsons: "The Otto Show" (with Homer singing the original lyrics), "Team Homer", "Natural Born Kissers", and "Sunday, Cruddy Sunday".

In the fingerprint scene in Rosewood's home in Beverly Hills Cop II, Eddie Murphy (playing Axel Foley) and Judge Reinhold (playing Billy Rosewood) improvised the idea of humming the tune. When Taggart (John Ashton) asks what the tune is, Rosewood replies, "The Dating Game!".

In the 1996 film Striptease, the song is played inside a laundromat while Erin Grant (Demi Moore) and her daughter Angela (Rumer Willis) take all the clothes out of the dryer machine.

In the 1997 film Perdita Durango, the two main characters happily groove to the song while abducting two teenagers.

In an episode of The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer, Vic Reeves plays the song through a prosthetic arm.

In the Philippine Noontime show It's Showtime on ABS-CBN, this song was constantly played for taking a picture of a person's face with a frame called "Face Dance". Soon after the "Face Dance" game became a regular staple on the network's out-of town shows.

In American Pie 2, the band camp counselor plays the song on his trumpet, not knowing that the trumpet had just been inserted into Jason Biggs' character's anus.

In the 2000 film The Dish, it plays at 12:03 before showing a ball preparation at the town hall.

The Nickelodeon TV series The Fairly OddParents uses the song in many episodes such as episode 4b season 1 “Apartnership”.

In an episode of Supernatural, the song is played when a pair of demons call Crowley (the King of Hell) from a hunter's trap.

In the 2013 film White House Down, the ring-tone can be heard repetitively in the film on the character of Richard Jenkins' mobile cell phone.

The song has been heard on The Weather Channel's Local on the 8s time by time between 1999 and 2013.

In the 2019 film Joker, the song plays with the Indian-head test pattern when the broadcast of Live with Murray Franklin gets cut off after the titular character shoots the titular host. In the DVD credits, the song is credited to Ray Davies and His Button Down Brass.

In the 2023 HBO miniseries "Love and Death" in the episode "Encounters", it was performed by the character Pat on his trumpet at the dinner table.

Use in podcasts

"Spanish Flea" acts as the opening and closing music to the Fangraphs audio podcast. The song is also used as the closing music for the soccer podcast Low Limit Futbol, hosted by Joe Uccello and Roberto Rojas. It is used as background music for the ad-reads on the 'We Hate Movies' podcast. It is also used as the closing theme for Chris & Andi Porter's 'One Millionth Podcast', although it is sung by the siblings themselves - a different way every time. It also appears in the jingle that precedes the ‘Three by Three’ segment by John C. Dvorak during the “No Agenda” podcast.

References

  1. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles
  2. ^ "Phonograph Recording Contract Blank - American Federations Of Musicians" (PDF). Wrecking Crew Film. August 13, 1965.
  3. Madrid, Alejandro. Transnational Encounters: Music and Performance at the U.S.-Mexico Border. Oxford University Press, 2011. 240.
  4. "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1966-03-14. Retrieved 2018-09-09.
  5. "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1966-04-18. Retrieved 2018-09-09.
  6. "Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  7. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 – ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  8. "Cash Box Top 100 4/23/66". Tropicalglen.com. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  9. Teresa Brewer – Texas Leather And Mexican Lace at Discogs
  10. The Modernaires With Paula Kelly – Salute Herb Alpert And The Tijuana Brass at Discogs.
  11. Frankie Randall – Spanish Flea at Discogs.
  12. Soupy Sales - – Spanish Flea / That Wasn't No Girl at Discogs
  13. Kathy Kirby - Spanish Flea at Discogs
  14. Julius Wecther at IMDb
  15. "Composer Julius Wechter Dies at 63". The Washington Post. 1999-02-06. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 2269358. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  16. Sight and Sound. British Film Institute. 1996.
  17. Editions, Insight (2022-11-15). Joker: The Official Script Book. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-64722-892-7.

External links

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